Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers shows he can throw the bomb if he gets protection

Nov. 26, 2009

Green Bay Packers' Donald Driver and Aaron Rodgers celebrate Driver's touchdown catch against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of the game at Ford Field on Nov. 26, 2009. Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette

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DETROIT — Now we know what Aaron Rodgers can do with some time to throw.

The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback put his mighty right arm on display for the NFL world to see early in Thursday’s Thanksgiving affair at Ford Field.

On the final play of the first quarter, Rodgers unleashed a bomb that traveled 70 yards in the air — from his 20-yard line to Detroit’s 10 — and landed in the hands of receiver Donald Driver, who outran surprised safety Marvin White. It went down as a 68-yard gain and set up the first of three touchdown passes that Rodgers would throw in a 34-12 victory over the Lions.

“It was about as far as I could throw it on that one,” Rodgers said. “I knew I was going to have to heave it.”

So 70 yards, that’s Rodgers’ max?

“I’d say about 72 is probably max,” Rodgers said.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said: “I was impressed that he got the ball there, and I think the safety was surprised, too.”

The play was symbolic of just how much the Packers’ offense has improved. The Lions showed blitz but backed off and rushed only three, allowing Rodgers to go through his progressions and Driver to keep running. Earlier in the season, the Packers weren’t guaranteed to protect against even three-man rushes. But on Thursday, Rodgers was sacked only once even though he took a few shots, including one on which he briefly feared he injured his knee.

“Protection; that’s the key,” said receiver James Jones, who caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. “The O-line is doing a great job giving him time. That’s the key to any offense. Give the quarterback time, you give us time to run our routes, and it’s good for us.”

In the three games since Rodgers was sacked six times and threw three interceptions in the Nov. 8 loss at Tampa Bay, he has combined to complete 85 of 120 passes (70.8 percent) for 881 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over the Cowboys, 49ers and Lions.

With his 348 yards on 28-of-39 passing on Thursday, he has thrown for a combined 692 yards in his last two games, against San Francisco and Detroit.

“I think the key to our success has been the offensive line play,” said Rodgers, who has been sacked just three times in the last two games. “When they give me time like that, it allows me to feel very comfortable back there. I think you’ve seen better protections and getting the ball out of my hand quicker.”

As exhilarating as the deep ball to Driver was, Rodgers again was effective in the short game, connecting on more of the slants and hitches like he did the previous two weeks.

“He’s managing the offense, making good decisions and he’s got good awareness on the field,” Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. “From where I am, it looks like he’s playing fast but not rushed. I think the protection has been a little bit better the last few weeks. That’s probably helped some.”

So has having all of his weapons. With the return of receiver Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley from knee injuries in recent weeks, the Packers have their full complement of offensive options. Rodgers completed passes to eight players against the Lions, but Driver got the most action. He caught seven for 142 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Tight end Donald Lee had the other touchdown catch, a 7-yarder in the second quarter.

“He’s been playing well,” Driver said of his quarterback, “and that’s what we need. He’s the leader of our offense, and that’s what you have to do. He stepped it up the last three weeks. You can’t do it without the offensive line and the guys around you. I think everybody on the offense got an opportunity to make plays, and I think everybody did.”